Morocco Defeats Zambia 2-0 in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Moroccan international Brahim Díaz is a “major asset” for both the Moroccan national team and Real Madrid, writes Spanish news site OkDiario.

The attacking midfielder is enjoying a successful spell and has established himself as one of the best players among the Atlas Lions, who have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the outlet notes.

With Real Madrid, Brahim Díaz stands out for his versatility and creativity, making him an essential part of coach Xabi Alonso’s system, the Spanish media outlet emphasizes.

OkDiario reports that the Malaga-born player also enjoys high visibility off the pitch, having become the most attractive figure for sponsors and a prime ambassador for Moroccan football.

The news site reminds that Real Madrid recently extended Brahim Díaz’s contract until 2027, deeming him a key member of its current and future squad.

The Moroccan national football team, which has already secured a spot at the 2026 World Cup, defeated its Zambian peer 2-0 on Monday in Ndola, as part of Group E’s 8th matchday of the African qualifiers.

The goals were scored by Youssef En-Nesyri (7′) and Hamza Igamane (47′).

With this latest victory, the Atlas Lions consolidated their position as group leaders with 21 points from seven wins in as many games, followed by Tanzania (10 points), Zambia and Niger (6 points) and Congo (1 point).

Morocco, the first African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, will be participating in this global competition for the seventh time in history and the third time in a row (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022). 

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, affirmed that the national team respects all its opponents and will face Zambia on Monday in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with “the objective of winning.”

“We play every match to win. We came to Zambia to deliver a good performance,” Regragui said on Sunday at a press conference, held on the eve of Monday’s fixture in Ndola (2:00 p.m.), which will see Morocco take on Zambia in Matchday 8 of Group E of the African qualifiers.

The coach noted that although this encounter holds no stakes for the Atlas Lions, who have already booked their ticket to the next World Cup, it will nonetheless serve as an opportunity to give other players the chance to showcase their talent.

“We won’t be fielding the same lineup that played against Niger on Friday, but we will keep in mind the objective of winning,” he said, adding that “the goal is to put on a good display, even if there is some fatigue, but we’ll have to manage that.”

“This is also a good strategy for us not to reveal all our cards, since Zambia will be in the same group as Morocco at the upcoming AFCON,” he stressed, noting that “this is a great opportunity for the players taking part in this game to show their qualities.”

“We know Zambia well. They need to win and reaffirm their status in Africa. The changes we make on our side will certainly matter (…). But this is a good thing, because we don’t want them to have reference points against us,”he further explained.

“For us, the essential thing is that we are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and that we remain in this positive dynamic,” the national coach underlined, pointing out that “we are now focused on the next AFCON 2025. And the match against Zambia will be a good test.”

According to Regragui, the final list of players for the upcoming AFCON is of critical importance, as all players are hoping to be included. “I am fully aware of this responsibility. I cannot afford to make mistakes in my choices,” he emphasized.

On Friday evening, Morocco secured its spot at the World Cup in North America, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with two matchdays to spare, following a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger. The Atlas Lions consolidated their position at the top of the group with 18 points from six wins in six matches, followed by Tanzania (10 pts), Zambia and Niger (6 pts each), and Congo (1 pt).

The 2026 World Cup will thus mark Morocco’s seventh appearance at the final stage of the competition and its third consecutive qualification (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022).

The Moroccan national team has secured its qualification for the final stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following its 5-0 victory over Niger on Friday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, in a match counting for the 7th round of the African qualifiers (Group E).

The goals were scored by Ismael Saibari, who netted a brace (29th and 38th minutes), Ayoub El Kaabi (50th), Hamza Igamane (68th), and Azeddine Ounahi (84th).

With this victory, Morocco, which has booked its ticket to the American World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, two matchdays before the end of the qualifiers, has strengthened its lead at the top of the group with 18 points from six wins in six matches. They are followed by Tanzania (10 points), Zambia and Niger (6 points each), and Congo (1 point).

The 2026 World Cup will mark Morocco’s seventh appearance in the final tournament and its third consecutive qualification (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022).

France’s Olympique Marseille officially announced on Tuesday morning the signing of Moroccan international defender Nayef Aguerd from West Ham (England), without specifying the length of his contract or the transfer fee.

“Olympique Marseille is delighted to announce the arrival of Moroccan international center-back Nayef Aguerd from West Ham,” the Ligue 1 club said on its website, highlighting the remarkable career of the player who trained at the “Mohammed VI Academy, a breeding ground for Moroccan football in full growth.”

After starting his career at Fath Union Sport (FUS) in Rabat, Aguerd joined France’s Dijon in 2018, then Rennes in 2020, where he discovered the Europa League and established himself as one of the best defenders in Ligue 1, OM continues.

The 29-year-old Moroccan international then moved to the Premier League in 2022 with West Ham, winning the Europa League. Last season, he played on loan at Real Sociedad, playing 36 matches for the Basque club.

Originally from Kenitra, the new OM defender has 55 caps for the Atlas Lions. He was one of the key elements of Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, crowned by an unprecedented qualification for the semi-finals.

Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss has been loaned to VfB Stuttgart by Leicester City, currently playing in England’s second division, until the end of the 2025/26 season, the German club announced Monday in a statement.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who has made 32 Premier League appearances and 61 in Belgium’s top flight, will wear the number 11 jersey at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena, the same source noted.

“My first impressions are very positive,” El Khannouss said in the statement. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds. I can’t wait to get started and get to know my teammates better,” he added.

For his part, VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth welcomed “having reached an agreement for Bilal El Khannouss,” describing him as “a young player with tremendous potential, able to play centrally but also on the wings.”

“He’s an excellent dribbler, quick, and has passing qualities that will enrich our attacking options. His international experience, gained in European leagues and with the Moroccan national team, makes him a real asset for our squad. We warmly welcome him to VfB Stuttgart,” he said.

El Khannouss joined Leicester City in the summer of 2024, when the club was still in the Premier League, scoring two goals and providing three assists in 32 league matches with the Foxes.

His Moroccan national teammate, Eliesse Ben Seghir, signed Sunday with another Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen, from AS Monaco. The young Atlas Lion has been recruited by the German club on a five-year deal running until 2030.